Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Allman-Payne. I think for some time now we've understood that there is a difference of position between the government and the Labor Party and the Greens party when it comes to mutual obligations. It is the policy of our government that we stand by the concept of mutual obligations, which involves the community generally, through the government, providing training and work opportunities to those who are unemployed, but there is an expectation from the community that unemployed people seek to find work as well. That's essentially what it comes down to. I know the Greens don't support that position. They never have supported that position, but that is a position that we think is supported by the vast majority of the Australian population.

Of course, this government has increased support payments, whether it be to unemployed people—as was very much necessary. We've increased support payments to single mothers. We've increased support payments to a wide variety of Australians who are doing it tough.

 Remote workers as well, Senator McCarthy reminds me—in addition to the range of other cost-of-living relief that we have provided to Australians. We will continue to stand by Australians who are looking for work and provide them with the support they require.

You might think that is funny, but that's something that we're prepared to do.